Vancouver Canucks: Time to Split Up Brandon Sutter's Line
Oct 6, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter (20) celebrates his goal with forward Jannik Hansen (36) against Calgary Flames goaltender Chad Johnson (31) (not pictured) during the first period during a preseason hockey game at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Brandon Sutter line has been the most consistent one for the Vancouver Canucks. But it’s time to split them up.
There might be a silver lining to the Vancouver Canucks‘ recent struggles.
The team hasn’t been relying solely on their top line for offense. True, the twins and Loui Eriksson have combined for five goals, the most of any Canucks line. But together they’ve also posted a minus-9. Brandon Sutter‘s line, meanwhile, has combined for four goals and a plus-4.
Sutter, Markus Granlund and Jannik Hansen have actually been the superior line at even strength.
This is faint praise, of course. Vancouver is fifth-last in goal scoring on the year. Every forward needs to step up. The team needs someone to take charge of the game at five-on-five.
With solid goaltending and an improved defensive structure, the team can at least keep games close. It makes for boring hockey, but at least they aren’t getting blown out.
What can they do to find a bit more offense and start winning these close games once again? Simple — it’s time to break up the Sutter line.
Sure, they have had a good run, and it’s a shame to do it. However, after three losses where the Canucks have not moved the needle offensively, the rest of the lineup needs help.
Currently, the biggest problem for team offense is getting production from the wingers. Granlund and Daniel Sedin have scored two goals apiece, while Hansen has scored one. And that’s it — no other winger has found the back of the net.
Splitting the Sutter line could fix that. Here’s how.
Feb 10, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Jannik Hansen (36) celebrates with center Henrik Sedin (33) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Sedin Solution
When is there not a raging debate about who should play with the twins?
More from The Canuck Way
Like Radim Vrbata before him, the Canucks signed Eriksson as a free agent for that purpose. He’s played with Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin before. During the World Cup of Hockey, they hemmed teams in their own zone for long stretches on many occasions.
The “third Sedin” may not have any goals, but he has four primary assists. He isn’t playing poorly; he just isn’t scoring.
On the power play, the Sedin-Eriksson line looks fine. The issue is at even strength. As I mentioned above, that line has combined for a minus-9. All three of those players are competent defensively and should be great offensively. What’s going on?
The issue isn’t their individual talents, nor is it their chemistry.
Too Much of a Good Thing
The fact is, Loui Eriksson is too similar to the Sedins. Despite being a 30-goal-scorer, when he sees the Sedins doing all that fancy passing, he wants to join in.
And that’s great and all, but… who’s going to shoot the puck? Who’s going to forecheck, hit and create turnovers?
Raise your hand, Jannik Hansen.
Lately, the Danish forward always seems to be the runner-up in the “Sedin line-mate” contest. Maybe head coach Willie Desjardins should make him the first choice.
Henrik and Daniel don’t need another passer — they need someone who will do all the things they can’t. Hansen works with the twins for the same reason Alexandre Burrows did, back when he could still skate.
The Sedins aren’t going to win any footraces, or throw hits in the corner. Neither will Loui Eriksson.
You can see the problem most through the neutral zone — all three of the triplets are trying to make passes at the opposing blue line. No one has any speed, so the defenders don’t need to back off. That leaves no space for the line to do their thing. They often can’t get the puck deep and instead turn it over.
You can have too much of a good thing. Reunite Hansen with the Sedins; make the Dane great again.
Mar 3, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen (18) celebrates his goal with defenseman Luca Sbisa (5) and forward Markus Granlund (60) against San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) (not pictured) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Give Virtanen a Chance in the Top Six
No one agrees what the Canucks should do with Jake Virtanen. Keep him in Vancouver? Or send him to the Utica Comets?
Putting Hansen on the top line gives us a chance to settle the question, for now.
There is now a vacancy on the second line. Virtanen wants minutes and stable line mates. So, stick him with Sutter and Granlund, and keep him there.
Desjardins always prefers to pair young players with veterans whenever he can. That’s one of the reasons the “kid line” never seems to stick — Willie gets worried.
Brandon Sutter has played 522 NHL games. Plus, the coach trusts Sutter and Granlund defensively. If experience and the 200-foot game are the concerns with Virtanen, this line combination should help.
Besides, the 20-year-old brings a lot of the same talents to the table as Jannik Hansen, particularly speed and physicality. On paper, the combination should work.
Virtanen says he isn’t sure whether he should “go” or “not go”. Well, here is a guy he could learn from:
Once he has two line mates whom the coach trusts, perhaps Virtanen can break the cycle of being switched around, then benched in the third period.
With Anton Rodin waiting in the wings, both the coach and the player have a clear deadline. The former Red Deer Rebel stays on the second line until Rodin is healthy. If he does well, he stays and Rodin slots in elsewhere.
If he doesn’t play well, then it’s time to send him to Utica. And at that point, I think even Virtanen himself will realize that it’s time to go to the AHL.
Stop dealing with Virtanen halfway. Give him a legitimate chance, and it will be clear where he should be.
Oct 20, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner (40) and forward Nicolas Deslauriers (44) defend against Vancouver Canucks forward Loui Eriksson (21) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
A Smart Veteran for the Kid Line
Here’s a radical thought: maybe Jack Skille is not the ideal linemate for Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi?
Maybe they could use a linemate who can help them out in their own zone, and create and finish chances at the other end? If not with the twins, Loui Eriksson could certainly be a fit with the two younger players.
Horvat and Eriksson have already spent time killing penalties together, and it led to this:
Horvat has three goals, including that one. Baertschi has yet to break through, and even playing a game with the Sedins hasn’t helped.
Both are more scorers than playmakers. They could use someone to get them the puck. If Eriksson played on their line, he could set them up for more goals. He can also provide screens, bury rebounds and extend offensive plays.
Right now, the Horvat line is only attempting a single shot, which is saved, blocked or missed. Then the other team leaves the zone. The veteran Swede could keep them in the zone longer and generate more chances.
We all know the Canucks could use more chances.
Conclusion: Switch up the right side.
The Canucks currently have three center-left wing pairs which work fine:
Until Rodin returns, there’s no need to break up the left side. At right wing, Hansen is working, but the other two aren’t.
It was fun while it lasted, but the Sutter line has to be broken up. Other lines need to score, too.
If it means more even strength goals, it’s a price Vancouver Canucks should be willing to pay.
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